10 tips for helping your child during a flare up

When your child experiences a flare-up—an episode when their IBD symptoms reappear—it can be a stressful and challenging time for the whole family. Managing your child's symptoms, ensuring their comfort, and offering emotional support quickly become top priorities. In this blog post, we'll discuss ten practical tips to help you navigate this difficult period and support your child effectively.

Tip #1: Stay Calm and Reassuring

Your child may be easily able to pick up on your anxiety and stress. By staying calm and offering reassurance, you help create a sense of safety and security for your child. Explain that flare-ups are a part of managing IBD and that you are there to help and support them through this. Reiterate that flare-ups are temporary and that you will work together to manage symptoms and get them feeling better as soon as possible. Use soothing tones and provide comfort through gentle touch or cuddling, as appropriate for your child's age and comfort level. This emotional support can help reduce their anxiety and make your child feel more secure during a distressing time for both child and parent.

Tip #2: Communicate with Your Child's Healthcare Team

It is imperative to keep in close contact with your child's healthcare team during a flare-up. Inform them promptly of any changes in symptoms or concerns you have. They can provide guidance on managing symptoms, scheduling appointments or check-ins, and adjusting treatments or medications if necessary. Keep a list of questions and concerns to address during appointments. Effective communication with your healthcare team ensures that your child receives timely and appropriate care and helps you stay informed about the best strategies for managing their condition during flare-ups.

Tip #3: Keep a Symptom Diary

Keeping a detailed diary to track your child's symptoms, medication responses, diet, and any potential triggers can be a helpful strategy to employ when your child is experiencing a flare-up. This information can be important for your healthcare team to effectively manage your child's flare-up, as well as adjust your child's treatment plan if necessary. Record details such as the frequency and severity of symptoms, any new symptoms that arise, changes in bowel movements, and the impact of specific foods or activities on symptoms. A detailed record can help you and your child's healthcare team identify patterns or triggers that might be contributing to the flare-up, allowing for more targeted and specific interventions and adjustments to the treatment plan.

Tip #4: Stick to the Medication Schedule

Your child's medications are tailored specifically to the needs of your child, which is why it is important that your child takes their medications exactly as prescribed. Flare-ups might require adjustments to their medication regimen, so it's crucial to follow your healthcare provider's instructions closely and communicate any changes that you feel are necessary. Use tools such as medication reminder apps, pill organizers, or alarms to help keep track of dosing schedules. If your child is old enough, involve them in managing their medication routine to foster a sense of responsibility and independence. Discuss any concerns or side effects with your healthcare provider promptly to ensure your child's medication regimen remains effective and manageable.

Tip #5: Prioritize Rest and Comfort

During a flare-up, your child's body needs extra rest. Your child may appear tired or run down throughout the day, so encourage them to relax, rest, and avoid strenuous activities. Create a comfortable resting space in your house with cozy blankets, pillows, and their favorite comfort items to help them relax throughout the day. Heating pads may also help your child with any physical discomfort during flare-ups and incorporating them into your child's environment may be helpful. Limit screen time and encourage quiet activities such as reading, drawing, or listening to soothing music to help them keep their body regulated. Ensure that your child gets enough sleep by continuing to maintain a consistent bedtime routine. Rest is crucial for the body's healing process, and creating a peaceful environment can help your child feel more at ease and promote faster recovery.

Tip #6: Focus on Nutrition and Hydration

Proper nutrition and hydration are essential for regulating the body and supporting the healing process. It may help to offer small, frequent meals throughout the day that are gentle on the digestive system. Keep your child hydrated with water, electrolyte solutions, and other fluids recommended by their healthcare provider. Avoid foods that you know may worsen your child's symptoms. You may want to reduce the amount of greasy foods, fried foods, and caffeine that your child consumes. Keeping a food diary may be a useful tool to help you figure out what foods may contribute to discomfort and flare-up. Consider communicating with your child's gastroenterologist and consulting a dietitian who specializes in IBD to help plan a diet that supports your child's nutritional needs during a flare-up. They can suggest specific foods and recipes that are easy to digest and less likely to exacerbate symptoms during flare-up. Pay attention to signs of malnutrition or dehydration and address them promptly to ensure your child maintains their strength and energy levels.

Tip #7: Monitor for Signs of Dehydration

Dehydration can be a serious concern during a flare-up, especially if your child is experiencing diarrhea or vomiting. Watch for signs such as dry mouth, reduced urine output, dizziness, and fatigue. Seek medical advice from your child's medical team if you suspect dehydration. Encourage your child to take small sips of fluids regularly throughout the day rather than large amounts at once, which can be overwhelming for a sensitive stomach. There are water bottles that can be purchased that specifically indicate on them how much water should be consumed by different times in the day. Offer a variety of hydrating options such as water, clear broths, and oral rehydration solutions. If your child resists drinking, try offering ice chips or popsicles for a more appealing and gentle hydration method. You can even consider oral rehydration solution popsicles from brands such as Pedialyte.

Tip #8: Encourage Open Communication

Encourage your child to express how they are feeling physically and emotionally. Flare-ups can be distressing for you and your child, and it's important for them to know that it's okay to share their feelings. Provide emotional support and be a good listener. Validate their emotions and let them know that it's normal to feel scared, frustrated, angry, or upset. This helps to create a safe space for them to talk openly without fear of judgment. This open communication can help them process their feelings and reduce stress, which can have a positive impact on their physical health.

Tip #9: Plan for School or Activity Modifications

If your child is in school or involved in community activities, communicate with their teachers, coaches, and leaders about their condition and how it may affect them. Request necessary accommodations, such as bathroom breaks, reduced physical activity, or a modified schedule to help them manage their symptoms. You can work with your child's school to develop a 504 Plan that outlines specific accommodations and supports your child needs during a flare-up. This might include extra time for assignments, a quiet place to rest, or permission to leave the classroom as needed. Open and ongoing communication with educators and activity leaders can help ensure your child's needs are met without compromising their education or social experiences. If you would like to learn more about developing a 504 Plan, you can click the link at the bottom of this post to access a previous blog post on this topic.

Tip #10: Offer Distraction and Positive Activities

Help your child stay positive by engaging in enjoyable activities that are not too physically demanding or strenuous. Reading, drawing, or playing card/board games can provide a welcome distraction for your child from their symptoms and help their mood and disposition. Plan fun, low-energy activities that your child looks forward to, which can serve as a mental break from any physical discomfort that they are experiencing. Encourage hobbies that they can pursue calmly, and spend quality time with them to strengthen your bond and provide emotional support. Distractions can help shift their focus away from the flare-up and promote a more positive outlook, which can be beneficial for your child's overall well-being.

Managing a flare-up can be daunting, but with the right strategies and support, you can help your child navigate this challenging time. Remember to take care of yourself too, as your well-being is crucial in providing the best support for your child. As always, stay strong IBD Warrior families!

Please take note that this page is not intended to be a substitute for a professional medical opinion. If you have any concerns or questions, don't hesitate to reach out to your child's healthcare team for advice and assistance. If you would like to discuss this topic or similar topics like this further with other parents/guardians of children with IBD, please feel free to join one of IBD Connect's support group meetings. We have several different support group options, both in-person and virtually, and we always welcome newcomers! More detailed information about each of our support group options can be found using the link below.

References

1. Healthline (2021). How To Keep a Food Journal: Instructions and Tips. 2. Crohn's & Colitis Foundation. (2015). Managing Flares. 3. Cleveland Clinic. (2024). A Nutritional Plan for Anyone Living with Crohn's Disease or Ulcerative Colitis. 4. Mayo Clinic. (2021). Dehydration. 5. Healthy Children. (2021). Team Up with Your Child's Doctor for the Best Care. 6. Center for Parent Information and Resources (2020). Supports, Modification, and Accommodations for Students. .